Our limited knowledge of the mechanisms underlying PD demands the clevelopment of innovative avenues of investigation. The extensive characterization of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the many tools developed for its manipulation makes it a powerful system for studying complex biological problems. Alpha-synuclein (aS), one of the established key players in PD, will be the focus of our Study. Preliminary data suggest that many of the basic features of aS biology in mammalian neurons is recapitulated in yeast. The proposed studies should generate a wealth of pilot information pertaining both to normal aS biology and potential therapeutic strategies to synergize with studies in other systems. We will combine our own expertise in yeast genetics and cell biology with the expertise of a group of investigators, ranging from biochemists, to geneticists and neurobiologists.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
3R21NS044829-02S1
Application #
6778096
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZNS1)
Program Officer
Murphy, Diane
Project Start
2002-02-15
Project End
2004-01-31
Budget Start
2003-02-01
Budget End
2004-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$39,125
Indirect Cost
Name
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
Department
Type
DUNS #
120989983
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02142
Outeiro, Tiago Fleming; Lindquist, Susan (2003) Yeast cells provide insight into alpha-synuclein biology and pathobiology. Science 302:1772-5